Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt’s State Information Service, issued a statement on Friday emphatically denying international media reports that Egypt is preparing to construct housing units for Palestinian refugees near the Egyptian border with the Gaza Strip, in the event of their forcible displacement due to Israeli aggression in the enclave.
Rashwan reiterated Egypt’s unwavering stance, as repeatedly declared by the President and various state bodies, unequivocally rejecting any forced or voluntary displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, especially to Egyptian territories. He stated such actions would definitively resolve the Palestinian issue and directly threaten Egypt’s sovereignty and national security, emphasizing this as a “red line” for Cairo.
The statement clarified that Egypt, with its publicly declared position, would not undertake any actions on its soil that contradict this stance or give the impression, falsely promoted by some, of participating in the crime of displacement encouraged by certain Israeli factions.
Rashwan labeled this forced displacement as a grave war crime condemned by international humanitarian law, stressing Egypt’s resolve to prevent and counter any attempts to execute such acts.
Addressing the media reports about Egypt constructing a barrier along its border with Gaza, Rashwan explained that Egypt has long maintained a buffer zone and barriers in this area as a standard security measure to protect its borders and sovereignty.
Additionally, an official source refuted claims of Israeli attacks on the Rafah border crossing, clarifying that recent disturbances were due to displaced individuals attempting forced entry, not Israeli airstrikes. The source also dismissed rumors of the crossing’s closure, noting it has been operational 24/7 since the events of October 7, facilitating aid trucks and receiving the injured.
The source warned against a new Palestinian catastrophe with Gazans fleeing to Sinai as part of an Israeli attempt to liquidate the Palestinian cause. Egypt’s position remains firm against any Israeli movements towards reoccupying the “Philadelphia Corridor” or infringing on Egyptian borders or forcibly displacing Gazans to Sinai, as these actions violate existing security agreements between Egypt and Israel.
Egypt has warned of severe consequences of Israeli actions near the Palestinian Rafah, where 1.4 million displaced people are located, urging international and regional efforts to prevent targeting the Palestinian Rafah.
Cairo has consistently emphasized that targeting Rafah and Israel’s policy of obstructing humanitarian aid amounts to a direct contribution to the displacement of Palestinians and the erasure of their cause. Israel claims the Palestinian Rafah area contains tunnels for weapon smuggling and alleges the presence of Hamas leaders in the region.
